Block Quotations By the Walden University Writing Center Staff

Block Quotations
By the Walden University Writing Center Staff
According to the APA manual, quotations that are 40 words or more are considered block
quotations and are formatted differently than regular quotations.
The following is a list of the unique formatting that is needed for block quotations:
1. Block quotations start on their own line.
2. The entire block quotation is indented 0.5 inches, the same as the indentation for a new
paragraph, and is double spaced.
3. Block quotations are not surrounded by any quotation marks.
4. The punctuation at the end of the block quotation goes before the citation.
5. The ending citation is included on the last line of the block quotation.
6. The text after the block quotation begins on its own line, with no indentation.
Note that block quotations should be used sparingly. Block quotations tend to take over the
voice of the paper, often overshadowing the voice of the author with that source’s voice.
Instead, if at all possible, try to quote smaller portions of the piece of text and incorporate
these into your own voice. This practice will not only allow you to establish your voice as the
author but also show the way you are engaging with the information, not just reporting it.
Keeping these formatting guidelines in mind, here are a few examples of block quotations.
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Block Quotation Example #1
Today, digital cameras have practically taken over photography. As Johnson (2010)
explained:
Digital cameras now make up 90% of all camera sales at the leading electronic stores.
This increase in sales can be partially attributed to the widespread use of email and social
networking, which has encouraged the sharing of digital photos. (p. 23)
Johnson further noted that, even more than with the shift to digital cameras, the increasing use of
phones and iPods that have built-in cameras has replaced the use of film cameras.
Block Quotation Example #2
Computer users often disagree about which operating system is best: Mac or PC. Oyler
(2010) stated that one operating system is not better than the other, but that one may be better
suited for different purposes than the other. She explained by saying that
Macs are often the best option for users who wish to work with video or picture
manipulation. Macs are also very user friendly, which may benefit consumers who are
new to computers. PCs, however, run Microsoft Office Suite the best. Therefore, students
might find that a PC is their best option because it can run Microsoft Word and
PowerPoint the smoothest. (Oyler, 2010, p. 48)
Conversely, Jones (2010) disagreed with the statement that Macs work with graphics such as
video and pictures better than PCs, stating that PCs can be modified to work as well as Macs.
Created 2011.
Last updated November 15, 2013.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike
License by the Walden University Writing Center.
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